Mail-bag



(No Model.)

B. P. DAVIS.

MAIL BAG.

INVENTOR Patented Dec. 3, 1889.

i e. 9 m

WITNESSES M t E B 3 i 9d f N. PETERS, Pxmwuuw u UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN F. DAVIS, OF CENTRALIA, KANSAS.

MAIL-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,57 6, dated December 3, 1889. 0. Application filed April 22 U389. Serial No. 308,091. (No model.) I

To 00% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN F. DAVIS, of Centralia, Nemaha county, Kansas, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Mail-Bags, of which the followingis afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to that class of mail bag or pouch fastenings wherein a series of locking. devices are adapted -to be locked or released in a single operation; and the nature of the invention consists of the novel combination of parts and their construction, as will fully appear from the following description and accompanying illustrations, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a mail bag or pouch having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line on as of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar section taken on the line y y of Fig. 1, the cover-flap being extended or shown in its open position; and Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of my invention shown in connection with a broken-away portion of the bag or pouch. r

In the embodiment of my invention I cmploy a number of rocking crank-shafts C, which are supported in alignment with each other in bearings or boxes d, riveted to one side of the bag A, near its upper end. These shafts are provided with cranks or loops 0', to which are strapped or clipped the bevelended drop-bolts D, which pass through and are guided in their movements by guidestaples b b. These staples are themselves passed through plates or shields c, riveted to the bag. a A, the staples also being carried through the bag and riveted upon the inside of the latter. Y

To the cover-flap A is riveted or secured a series of locking-staples a a, projecting fromthe rear side thereof, and which when the flap is carried over the mouth of the bag or pouch to close the same are passed through the usual apertures provided in the rear side of the bag or pouch thereof, and thence through apertures in the front side of the bag or pouch, and immediately or almost at the same time through transverse openings in the plates or shields 0. These staples a a receive and through them pass the bolts D, as shown, and thus secure the flap A in its closed position over the mouth of the bag or pouch.

g g are thelocking-hasps, which are slightly ner opposite end of each rocking crank-shaft C. These hasps rest flat one upon-the other, and are provided with coincident openings, through which is passed or received a staple h, riveted to the front of the bag, and to which is applied the shackle of a padlock i,

thus locking the various bolts in their staples and the bag or pouch flaps in placeover the mouth of the latter. It will be seen that when the shackle of the padlock is withdrawn from the staple h by simply pressing 7o outward'upon the inner surface of the bent portion of the hasps g g with the hand the hasps will slip off the staple it together, and

- by continuing to exert a slight pressure in the same direction upon said hasps the crank- 7 5 shafts C will be rocked so as to withdraw the boltsthe entire series at one and the same operation-from the flap or locking-staples a a, when the latter can be quickly withdrawn and the flap thrown forward, thus permitting of the ready and expeditious opening of the bag or pouch.

It is apparent that the closing and locking of the bag or pouch can be effected with equal facility and expedition, it only being necessary to return the staples a a after the proper disposition or lowering of the flap to its closed position through the required or opposite openings in the bag or pouch and through the openings in the shields o, the hasps g g then being moved or carried upward, so as to receive through their coincident openings the staple h, the bolts thereby being caused to engage their receiving-staples. The padlock is then adjusted upon the hasp-staple and its shackle locked. r

I am aware that rocking crank-shafts carrying bolts have before beenemployed on similar devices; but it has been the practice to use a single continuous shaft connected to a single I oo hasp, whereas I employ two independent shafts carrying hasps at their adjacent ends,

which hasps lie one on the other and simultaneously engage the staple. The advantage of this arrangement is that all cramping of the crank-shaft and bolts is avoided, and the operation of locking and unlocking the bag is made easier. Further, it will be noted that the link-connections are swiveled on the up wardly-bent parallel pintles on the adjacent ends of the crank-shafts, whereby said linkeonneetions may be swung outward perpendicular to their normal positions before the crank-shafts are turned to withdraw the bolts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a mail bag or pouch lock, the combi-l nation .of the independent crank-shafts earryinglocking or drop bolts engaging staples on the cover-flap, the hasps connected to the adjacent ends of said shaftsarranged to fold nation of the independent crank-shafts earrying loekin g or drop bolts engaging suitable cover-flap, of theindependent flat hasps G G,

connected by swiveled links to the adjacent ends of the said shafts and provided with 00- incident openings to engage a staple, and

means to lock said .hasps on the staple, substantially as speci fied.

.In testimony whereof illatlix my signature in preseneeof two witn esses.

EDWIN ,F. {DAVIS W'itnesses: J. E. lIIGDON, A. A. HIepoN. 

